Gavin Williams (footballer)

Gavin John Williams (born 20 July 1980 in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan) is a Welsh former international footballer who was most recently the manager of Merthyr Town.

Gavin Williams
Personal information
Full name Gavin John Williams
Date of birth (1980-07-20) 20 July 1980
Place of birth Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1996–1997 Hereford United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2002 Hereford United 169 (30)
2002–2004 Yeovil Town 93 (17)
2004–2006 West Ham United 10 (1)
2005–2006 → Ipswich Town (loan) 9 (1)
2006–2008 Ipswich Town 45 (2)
2008–2011 Bristol City 52 (3)
2010 → Yeovil Town (loan) 8 (5)
2010 → Yeovil Town (loan) 12 (1)
2011 Bristol Rovers 19 (2)
2011–2013 Yeovil Town 52 (7)
2013 Woking 16 (5)
2013–2020 Merthyr Town
Total 485 (74)
International career‡
2002 Wales Semi-Pro 3 (0)
2005 Wales 2 (0)
Managerial career
2014–2016 Merthyr Town (assistant)
2016–2021 Merthyr Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:28, 30 December 2013 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:18, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

Club career

Hereford United

Williams started his career as a YTS player at Hereford United having previously trained with Cardiff City. He made his first team debut at the age of 17, as a substitute in the 3–0 FA Cup victory over Sittingbourne. He made twelve more appearances that season and scored his first goal against Dover Athletic in the Conference. By the 1998–99 season he was a first team regular playing in a variety of positions in midfield and up front. He was to spend five seasons at Edgar Street, notably scoring a wonder strike against Swindon Town in the 2001–02 FA Cup second round.

Yeovil Town

At the age of 21 he moved to Hereford's rivals Yeovil Town for the 2002–03 season, having rejected a new contract offer at Edgar Street. Hereford received a £22,500 fee for their leading goalscorer plus a 25% next sale clause, which earned the Bulls a further £62,500 in 2004.

At Huish Park he was an integral part in the squad which in that season gained promotion to the football league for the first time, scoring six goals, the same season in which his team reached the sixth round of the FA Trophy. He also won the Player of the Year award for his club, an ever-present rock in the midfield.

West Ham

It wasn't long before West Ham United decided to swoop for him, purchasing him in December 2004 for £250,000. But his last act in his last game for Yeovil was to be sent off.

He made his West Ham debut on Boxing Day 2004, coming on as a substitute against Nottingham Forest in a 3–2 win. He made a further nine appearances in the West Ham team, as they gained promotion to the Premiership, scoring his first goal against Leeds United. By November 2005 he had been loaned out to Ipswich Town after struggling to gain a first-team place at West Ham. The loan spell was a success and the deal was made permanent in January 2006 for a fee of £300,000.

Ipswich Town

In November 2005, Williams joined Ipswich Town on loan after struggling to gain a first-team place at West Ham. He scored on his debut for the club on 19 November in a 1–1 draw with Coventry City. The loan spell was a success and the deal was made permanent in January 2006 for a fee of £300,000.[2]

Williams featured more regularly during the 2006–07 season. He scored his first goal of the season on 16 December, scoring the winning goal in a 1–0 home win over Leeds United at Portman Road. On 1 January has again scored the winning goal in a 1–0 home win over Birmingham City. He made 32 appearances in all competitions in the season, scoring twice.[3] He won the club's goal of the season award for his strike against Leeds.[4]

During the 2007–08 season Williams saw his game time reduced, making 10 starts and 3 substitute appearances in the league as Ipswich finished 8th in the Championship, one point off the Championship Play-offs.[5]

Bristol City

On 27 June 2008, he joined Bristol City on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[6] Williams made his debut for Bristol City on 9 August 2008, starting in a 0–1 away win over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. He scored his first goal for the club on 21 October 2008, netting in a 0–2 away win over Charlton Athletic at The Valley.[7]

Yeovil Town (loan)

Williams returned to Yeovil on a one-month loan, on 11 March 2010 from Bristol City. In his first game on 13 March, he scored a free kick, created one goal and got sent off all in just over an hour.[8] His loan was extended until the end of the season and he scored five times and got four assists in eight games.

On 9 September 2010, Williams returned to Yeovil for a three-month loan.[9]

Bristol Rovers

On 31 January 2011 he was released by Bristol City and signed for arch rivals Bristol Rovers. He scored his first goal for Bristol Rovers in a west country derby win over Yeovil Town. He was one of seventeen players released by the team in May 2011.[10]

Yeovil Town

On 15 June 2011 it was confirmed that Williams would be returning to Yeovil Town for the new season and scored his first goal of the season against Walsall. He also scored in two consecutive games against MK Dons and Oldham Athletic, with Yeovil winning both. On 8 May 2012, Williams signed a new one-year contract with the Glovers. On 19 May 2013, Williams was an unused substitute in the 2013 League One play-off final, although he was cautioned for time wasting, as Yeovil won promotion to the Championship for the first time in the club's history.[11] Williams was released by Yeovil at the end of the season having not been offered a new contract.[12]

Woking

On 22 July 2013, Williams signed for Woking for the forthcoming season.[13] However, due to family issues his contract was terminated on 20 December 2013 and left the club with full respect of the manager and supporters.

Merthyr Town

On 30 December 2013, Williams signed for his home town club Merthyr Town and made his debut for the Martyrs on 4 January 2014 in a 3–2 win against North Leigh. On 23 May 2014, Williams was appointed player/assistant manager at Merthyr alongside current Merthyr player Steve Williams and both would serve under newly appointed Merthyr manager Steve Jenkins.

International career

After representing Wales Semi-Pro in 2002, Williams made his international debut for Wales on 17 August 2005, featuring as a second-half substitute in a 0–0 draw with Slovenia at the Liberty Stadium, Wales. He made his second appearance for his country on 16 November 2005, again featuring as a substitute in a 1–0 loss to Cyprus at Tsirion Stadium, Cyprus.[14]

Managerial career

On 27 May 2016, after the resignation of Jenkins, Williams was appointed manager of Merthyr Town.[15] In January 2021, Williams decided to leave his role as manager of Merthyr Town.[16]

Personal life

Williams' younger brother Lewis is a winger with Pontypridd RFC. Gavin's son, Jay, is also a footballer, currently playing for the Fulham F.C. Academy.[17]

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hereford United 1997–98[18] Conference 10120—1[lower-alpha 1]0131
1998–99[18] Conference 38611—5[lower-alpha 2]0447
1999–2000[18] Conference 41651—5[lower-alpha 3]0517
2000–01[18] Conference 39800—10[lower-alpha 4]54913
2001–02[18] Conference 41932—4[lower-alpha 1]34814
Total 16930114—25820542
Yeovil Town 2002–03[19][20] Conference 38620—6[lower-alpha 5]0466
2003–04[21] Third Division 42933102[lower-alpha 6]14813
2004–05[22] League Two 132201000162
Total 931773208111021
West Ham United 2004–05[22] Championship 101——00101
2005–06[2] Premier League 000010—10
Total 101001000111
Ipswich Town 2005–06[2] Championship 12110——131
2006–07[3] Championship 2923000—322
2007–08[5] Championship 1301000—140
Total 5435000—593
Bristol City 2008–09[7] Championship 3531010—373
2009–10[23] Championship 1401120—171
2010–11[24] Championship 300010—40
Total 5232140—584
Yeovil Town (loan) 2009–10[23] League One 85———85
2010–11[24] League One 121———121
Bristol Rovers 2010–11[24] League One 192———192
Yeovil Town 2011–12[25] League One 284101000304
2012–13[26] League One 24310003[lower-alpha 6]0283
Total 527201030587
Woking 2013–14[27] Conference Premier 16510—1[lower-alpha 7]1186
Career total 4857428880371055892
  1. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  2. Two appearances in FA Trophy, two appearances in Conference League Cup, one appearance in President's Cup
  3. Two appearances in FA Trophy, two appearances in Conference League Cup, one appearance in Herefordshire Senior Cup
  4. Eight appearances and three goals in FA Trophy, two appearances and two goals in Football League Trophy
  5. Four appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in Football League Trophy, one appearance in Somerset Premier Cup
  6. Appearances in Football League Trophy
  7. Appearance in Surrey Senior Cup

International
Source:[28]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Wales200520
Total20

Honours
Yeovil Town
West Ham United
Merthyr Town
Individual

References
  1. "Gavin Williams profile". Soccerbase. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  2. "Games played by Gavin Williams in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  3. "Games played by Gavin Williams in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  4. "Legwinski Players' Player". TWTD. 1 May 2007. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  5. "Games played by Gavin Williams in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  6. "Williams makes Bristol City move". BBC Sport. 27 June 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2008.
  7. "Games played by Gavin Williams in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  8. "Yeovil 4–0 Hartlepool". BBC Sport. 13 March 2010.
  9. "Williams makes Glovers return". Sky Sports. 9 September 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  10. "Midfielder Jeff Hughes heads Bristol Rovers exodus". BBC Sport. 23 May 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  11. "Brentford 1–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  12. "Yeovil Town: Gavin Williams among three to leave Glovers". BBC Sport. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  13. "Woking: Gavin Williams signs as Gavin McCullum pens new deal". BBC Sport. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  14. "Gavin Williams profile". National Football Teams. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  15. "Former Wales defender Steve Jenkins leaves Merthyr Town after two seasons". BBC Sport. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  16. "Club statement: Gavin Williams". Merthyr Town FC. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  17. Pearlman, Michael (10 October 2023). "Wales football: Meet the second-generation players ready to represent Wales". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  18. "Williams,Gavin". The Unofficial Hereford United Online Archive. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  19. "Games played by Gavin Williams in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  20. "Gavin Williams Profile". Ciderspace (the independent Yeovil Town FC website). Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  21. "Games played by Gavin Williams in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  22. "Games played by Gavin Williams in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  23. "Games played by Gavin Williams in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  24. "Games played by Gavin Williams in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  25. "Games played by Gavin Williams in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  26. "Games played by Gavin Williams in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  27. "Games played by Gavin Williams in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  28. Gavin Williams at National-Football-Teams.com
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